Why jails stop collect calls and cheaper options

At Silverdale Detention Center (formerly operated by Corrections Corporation of America), many facilities have moved away from collect calls.

The main reason is cost and system changes:

• Collect calls are often the most expensive type of inmate call
• Phone providers are shifting to prepaid and debit systems instead
• Facilities prefer systems where billing is clearer and controlled

While it feels like a loss, collect calls usually end up costing more per call than prepaid options.

Lower-cost options to consider:

• Set up a prepaid phone account with the facility’s provider
• Use a local number setup to reduce long distance charges
• If possible, have the inmate use commissary funds for calls, which can sometimes be cheaper

Given your situation, every dollar matters. The goal is to:

• Avoid high per-minute collect call rates
• Lower the cost per call as much as possible

Even though collect calls feel easier for budgeting, prepaid or local-number options usually stretch your money further over time.